Cover for paper containers



Dec. 16, 1958 E. 'r. ALDINGTON 2,864,545

COVER FOR PAPER CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 7, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 16, 1958 E. T. ALDINGTON COVER FOR PAPER CONTAINERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 7, 1955 United States Patent Elmer T. Aldington, Bethlehem,- Pa., assignor, by mesne assignments, to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application November 7, 1955, Serial No. 545,288

' Claims. Cl. 229-43 tion of a paper container having such rim bead and equipped with a cover of that type, although the invention may have other uses and purposes as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

In the past, some difficulty has been experienced in providing suitable covers for paper containers of the semiheavy duty or heavy duty type used for the packaging of ice cream, various semi-solid and solid frozen commodities, cottage cheese, yogurt, and other substances. Most frequently heretofore, a disk-type cover was utilized which was inserted in the mouth of the container, and this type of cover was prone to become partially unseated during rough handling and particularly when lateral or sidewise pressure was exerted on the container.

For such a reason and many other and various reasons resulting from rough handling, transportation, and storage, it has been difiicult to provide any form of cover for a container heretofore that could be manipulated easily by the user, that was sufiiciently economical, and that would not be subject to dislodgement, pop-open, or other movement of thecover leading to leakage of contents. Difliculty was also experienced in acquiring an adequate seal in regard to those commodities where a definite seal between the container and cover was desired. In some cases, covers were utilized, such as the disk-type above mentioned, that left the rolled rim bead on the container exposed, and therefore in certain locations such packages would not pass the sanitary requirements.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the instant inventionto provide a cover for a paper container that is neat and attractive in appearance, resists rough handling to a more than necessary degree without leakage occurring, and meets all sanitary requirements.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a a 1 cover for a paper container so constructed as to not only cover the mouth of the container, but also completely enclose the rim bead on the container aroundits mouth. A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a cover for a paper container so constructed as to have practically no moisture or vapor transmission, thereby eliminating dehydration of the contents of the container. L

' Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a closure for a paper container that may be ,1

Patented Dec. 16, 1958 Also an object of the invention is the provision of a cover easily applied to a container, and so constructed as to automatically compensate for a reasonable amount of overfill of the container withoutsqueezing out some of the commodity during application of the cover.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a laminated cover for a paper container, the cover being preferably composed of a lamination of metallic foil and a lamination of paper, with either lamination outermost as may be desired by the user.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a coverfor a paper container that is preferably made of a lamination of aluminum having dead folding properties, and a lamination of paper.

Also a feature of the invention resides in the provision of a cover for a paper container having a depending skirt portion with a crown-like configuration therein which may be folded around and under the rim bead at the mouth end of the container, the cover being constructed to allow for a decrease in circumference when so folded, and also designed to permit the exertion of circumferential or outward pressure on the mouth of the container to prevent collapse thereof when the cover is applied.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of a simple form of container cover for attachment over the rim bead of the container, the covers being so constructed as to readily stack in nested relationship so as to facilitate handling.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of the instant invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a fragmentary side'elevational view of a container equipped with a cover embodying principles of the instant invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary greatly enlarged side elevational view of the cover positioned on the container and prior to the securement of the cover to the container;

Figure 3 is a view of the same character as Fig. 2, but illustrating the cover after securement to the container;

Figure 4 is a still further enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view, illustrating the cover placed upon the container but prior to the securement of the cover;

Figure 5 is a View of the same character as Fig. 4, but illustrating the cover after securement to the container;

Figure 6 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating how the covers may be stacked one upon the other in nested relationship; and v Figure 7 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through a cover of slightly different construction.

As shown on the drawings:

In the illustrated embodiment of the instant invention, there is shown a paper container 1 having an outwardly rolled rim bead 2 around the mouth thereof. This container is preferably of the customary fiat bottom type, and may be made of any suitable paper stock of desired weight and wax coated, wax impregnated, or otherwise treated to render the same liquidproof.

A cover, generally indicated by numeral 3, is shown attached over the open end of the container in Fig. 1, and it will be-noted that when the cover is properly applied, the rim bead 2 of the .container is totally enclosed by the cover. Thus, any portion of the container contacted by the commodity it carries upon removal of the commodity is effectively shielded by the cover, so the covered container satisfies all sanitary requirements.

The cover is preferably laminated and comprises a lamination of a metallic foil and a lamination of paper. The paper component may be bleached kraft to be used with ice cream and other semi-solid and solid foods, of

the character not tending to cause delamination. In the case of cottage cheese, yogurt, and the like, it might be necessary to use a wet strength or greaseproof paper to eliminate the probability of delamination and loss of moisture due to wicking or capillary attraction in the paper.

The metallic foil lamination should desirably possess certain characteristics such as being impervious to moisture and gases, being greaseproof, non-absorptive, shrinkproof, odorless and tasteless, hygienic, non-toxic and sterile, resistant to corrosion, non-aging, possessing dead folding properties, and also be strong and light in weight. Such desiderata for the foil lamination might be acquired from any suitable metal of proper temper, but by way of example aluminum foil is highly satisfactory. Aluminum foil possesses the highly desirable property of dead folding, in that when once it is bent to a desired position, it does not have inherent elasticity and tend to restore itself to the former position.

As seen in Fig. 1, the cover embodies a crown-like configuration 4 in the skirt portion thereof which encloses the rim bead of the container. This gives a pleasing appearance, and there is some similarity in the appearance of the cover and the manner in which it is attached to the container between the instant cover and the commonly known metallic cork-lined crown cap for glass beverage bottles.

However, there is a distinctly different structure present in the instant cover since it cannot be applied to the container by the method employed in placing a crown cap upon a beverage bottle. In comparison to a glass bottle, the instant container is substantially non-rigid and the cover must, of course, be constructed for application to the container with a very limited amount of pressure on the container.

Further, a crown cap for glass bottles is made of relatively heavy metal which is die drawn when the cap is formed, whereas the comparatively soft flexible material used in the instant invention is not drawn and the shaping must be far more exact than the bottle cap to provide a precise folding action that will effectively maintain the cover in place. With the bottle cap there is somewhat of a snap action in applying the cap and the cap skirt maintains its outward and downward flare, but with the instant cover there is a folding action which brings the initially flared skirt in, around and under the bead on the container.

In the illustrated embodiment, with reference more particularly to Fig. 4, the cover embodies an inner lamination 5 of paper, and an outer lamination 6 of aluminum foil. The laminations are secured together in any suitable manner, such as by an adhesive. Of course, the laminated stock is made up in sheet form, and the individual container covers are preferably stamped from the stock by suitable die mechanism.

Preferably, the laminated cover is shaped to include an elevated central portion 7 which automatically compensates for any reasonable overfilling of the container, so that there will not be squeeze-out of the contents when the cap is applied to the container. Around that elevated central portion there is a sloping wall 8 which terminates or merges into an annular groove or recess 9. This annular groove or recess 9 is provided so that the cover applying means may exert outward pressure against the circumference of the container at the month end so as to prevent collapsing of the container during application of the cover.

From the recess 9 there is a partial outward roll as indicated at 10 which merges into a depending skirt portion generally indicated by numeral 11. i

This skirt 11 carries the aforesaid crown-like configuration, which must be of a character to provide an effective grip upon the rim bead of the cup, and also permit a reduction in the circumference of the skirt when it is pressed in below the rim bead 2 of the container. The

crown configuration includes spaced outward folds or pressure absorbing ribs 12=and alternating with these upright outward folds are circumferential folds 13 preferably at a relatively sharp angle which define substantially laterally projecting portions 14 connected with the pressure absorbing ribs or outward folds 12 by short arcuate formations 15.

As seen best in Figs. 4 and 5, there is another relatively line fold extending upwardly from the top of each pressure absorbing fold 12 over a portion of the partial roll 10, this fine fold being indicated by numeral 16, and its purpose is to maintain the caps adequately spaced apart when stacked in nested relationship.

When the cover is applied to the container, it is first placed in position on the rim bead 2 of the container as seen in Figs. 2 and 4. Then, with suitable applying mechanism, and a rubber ring die having spaced projecting teeth of proper configuration satisfactory for this purpose, the skirt portion of the cover is folded around the rim head of the container to the position seen in Figs. 3 and 5. It will be noted that the circumferential folds 13 are materially increased in depth while the vertical or upright folds 12 have been compressed, at least in the lower portion thereof so as to provide for the necessary decrease of circumference in that portion of the skirt. Actually, there is a relative motion between what may be termed gripping lugs" defined by the circumferential folds 13 and the pressure absorbing ribs 12, which motion increases the gripping lug holding power under the container rim bead as the pressure absorbing folds or ribs 12 close up or are compressed. The compression of these upstanding folds 12 is noticeable between the showings of Figs. 2 and 3. It can be seen that in Fig. 3 these folds have changed to almost di amond contour by virtue of the lower portions thereof being squeezed inwardly, and in Fig. 5 it will be seen that these folds 12 actually extend in under the container head 2.

It will be noted that after the cover is applied, there is a positive holding action, and it is necessary to pry off the cover in order to remove it from the container. This, of course, may be accomplished by the fingers of a user, the paper lamination preventing the danger of cutting the fingers during that operation. When the cover has been removed, it cannot be reapplied by the user to the same extent it was formerly anchored to the container, but it can be placed over the open end of the container and used as a temporary expedient until all of the contents of the container have been removed.

Once applied, by virtue of the dead folding properties of the aluminum lamination, there is no tendency for the cover to automatically loosen from the container, and the closed container will withstand a considerable amount of rough handling without danger of leakage.

It should also be understood that the instant cover may, if so desired for particular uses, be formed of a metallic foil or the like .without the paper lamination. While the foil may be a trifle thicker at times it nevertheless will have the same dead fold properties and operate the same as above described.

With reference now to Fig. 6 it will be noted that a plurality of covers may be stacked in nested relationship while stored pending usage. Of course, when stacked, the covers must be spaced sufficiently apart to insure tree removal of them one at a time from the stack, and this is accomplished by virtue of contact of the small fold 16 which contacts the skirtportion of the cover thereabove and maintains the proper spacing.

In Fig. 7 I have illustrated how the cover may be utilized with the laminations reversed or in reverse position. In this instance, the cover is identical with that above described, except that there is an aluminum or metallic foil lamination 6a on the underside of the cover and a paper lamination 5b on the outside of the cover.

economical to warrant discarding along with the con tainer after a single usage.

It will be understood that modifications and vari ations may be affected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A cover for a paper container, embodying laminated material in which one lamination is a metallic foil having dead folding properties, said cover having a central raised portion surrounded by an annular depending skirt of crown configuration for folding around the rim bead of a container, said cover having an annular identation in the top thereof inside said skirt to allow outward pressure to be applied to the container rim bead by capping mechanism, said skirt having spaced upstanding outward folds therein and circumferential inward folds alternating therewith, and fine outer folds projecting above said upstanding folds to substantially the junction between the skirt and said annular indentation adjacent said central raised portion to maintain the cover 7 partially separated when stacked.

2. A cover for a paper container, embodying laminated material in which one lamination is a metallic foil having dead folding properties, said cover having an annular depending skirt of crown configuration for folding around the rim bead of a container, said skirt having spaced upstanding outward folds of substantially triangular configuration therein, and circumferential inward folds alternating therewith, said cover having an elevated central portion to allow for reasonable overfilling of the container Without squeeze-out of contents when the container is capped and said upstanding outward folds giving an effect to cause said circumferential folds to embrace the container when they are pressed inwardly.

3. A cover for a paper container, embodying laminated material of which one lamination is metallic foil and another lamination is paper, said cover including a central portion surrounded by an annular depending skirt, said skirt having spaced upstanding outward folds therein and circumferential inward folds at a sharper angle alternating therewith, said folds giving a crown effect to cause said skirt to embrace the rim bead of a container when the circumferential folds are pressed inwardly.

4. A cover for a paper container, embodying laminated material of which one lamination is metallic foil and another lamination is paper, said cover including a central portion surrounded by an annular depending skirt, said skirt having spaced upstanding outward folds therein and circumferential inward folds at a sharper angle alternating therewith, and fine outer folds projecting above said upstanding folds to substantially the junction between the skirt and said central portion to maintain the covers partially separated when stacked.

5. A cover for a paper container, comprising a laminated blank of which one layer is metallic foil and the other layer is paper, said blank being shaped to provide an elevated central portion with an inward annular groove surrounding said portion, an outward partial roll around said groove, a skirt depending from said partial roll, a crown-like configuration defined by folds in said skirt, said skirt embodying spaced substantially V-shaped upstanding outward folds therein, and circumferential inward V-shaped folds at a sharp angle alternating therewith, whereby the cover may be secured to the container by pressing said upstanding folds inwardly and together reducing the space of the \f-shaped configuration thereof and cause the sharp angle portion of the circumferential fold to effect tight engagement with the container wall.

6. A cover for a paper container, comprising a laminated blank of which one layer is metallic foil and the other layer is paper, said blank being shaped to provide an elevated central portion with an inward annular groove surrounding said portion, an outward partial roll around said groove, a skirt depending from said partial roll, outward upright folds spaced along the upper part of said skirt and extending over a part of said roll to maintain covers slightly spaced when stacked, alternately spaced upstanding folds which are outwardly convexed and circumferential folds which are inwardly concave arranged along the lower part of said skirt, and the circumferential fold adapted to fit primarily around and below the container mouth portion and to be forced inward against the container with great force when the upstanding folds are forced inwardly.

7. In combination, a paper container, an outwardly rolled rim head around the mouth of said container, and a cover over the mouth and rim bead of said container, said cover having a depending skirt with a crown-like configuration defined by alternately spaced upstanding outward folds therein and circumferential inward folds, said skirt being bent inwardly below said rim bead and adapted to tightly fit the container when the upstanding folds are inwardly and vertically compressed forcing said circumferential folds inwardly.

8. In combination, a paper container having a rolled rim head around the mouth thereof, and a cover embodying a layer of metallic foil having dead folding properties, said cover comprising a central portion surrounded by an outwardly and downwardly depending skirt, said skirt having spaced upstanding outward folds therein and circumferential inward folds at a sharper angle alternating therewith, said folds giving a crown effect to cause said skirt to embrace the rim bead of a container when the circumferential folds are pressed inwardly.

9. A cover for a paper container, embodying a layer of metal foil having dead folding properties, said cover including a central portion surrounded by an annular depending skirt, said skirt having spaced upstanding outward folds therein and circumferential inward folds at a sharper angle alternating therewith, said folds giving a crown effect to cause said skirt to embrace the rim bead of a container when the circumferential folds are pressed inwardly.

10. A partially preformed sanitary cover for a paper container having an outwardly rolled rim bead around the mouth of said container, said cover constructed of laminated material of which one layer is metallic foil having dead folding properties, said cover formed with a central portion surrounded by an annular depending skirt, said skirt having spaced radial folds on the exterior thereof and circumferential inward folds at a sharper angle alternating therewith, said folds giving a crown effect to embrace the rim head of a container when the radial folds are pressed in an inward direction whereby the depth of the radial folds in the skirt are increased causing the gripping power of the circumferential folds on the container below the rim bead to be increased.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,001,128 Elledge Aug. 22, 1911 2,497,870 Dennis Feb. 21, 1950 2,555,380 Stuart June 5, 1951 2,607,504 Sonnenberg Aug. 19, 1952 2,746,669 Moore May 22, 1 55 

